While I would not pay that much for one of his modified DX-394's
because I can do the mods myself, hundreds of others have. His price is
not unreasonable when you consider that the typical selling price for
unmodified ones is around $150. The replacement filter from Kiwa would
cost you $30 delivered (I'm sure he bought up stock in quantity at a
fraction of that price) and the other parts maybe $10 or so delivered.
Then factor in a couple of hours time at, say, $30-$50 an hour and
you're into the 250-300 range total. That's still well below the
original selling price.

Sure, if you can afford it, spend more on a better radio. Last I
looked, a new R8B was well over $1k. The used DX-394 at $150-$250 still
occupies a sweet spot for tabletop general communication receivers, in
significant quantity and with little competition.

73, Tom

I never mentioned the R8B, I said an R8, which I have seen sold for
$350 and is a far superior receiver. I am also sure that he does not
get his filters from kiwa but has another source and gets them for
$2-$3 each, it is just a low cost murata filter.

and I have seen MANY 394's for $110 on ebay so I think he is ripping
people off at $260.

I think you are being choosy in your stats, citing only the lowest
prices recorded to support your argument. I tracked eBay selling prices
for DX-394's over a 7-month period from Oct/03 to Apr/04 - graphed at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RADIOS...394/files/FAQ/ .The monthly
average for unmodified ones ranged from $135-$175; for modified ones,
(not solely lowbander's and with varying degrees of mods) from
$195-$265. Of course, there were individual ones that sold for less and
more than these. That was nearly a year ago and prices may have moved
somewhat. My recent eBay watch list shows only one sold in the US for
or $110 or less at $108.50. The majority of unmodified ones at around
$150. lowbander sold 5 between $235 and $250.

Rather than comparing it against more expensive receivers that rarely
show up on ebay and sell at the bottom price you mention (that's too
easy!), can you identify a readily available one that is comparable in
price with equal or superior features and performance?

73, Tom

I never mentioned the R8B, I said an R8, ...

You said:

clue me in people,,,,,do I want one of these ????? is it better than
an
R-8B ?????

So, yes, you can buy a new R8B for 10 times the price of a used DX-394
and it is a better receiver.

73, Tom

READ MY TYPING !!!! THIS IS WHAT I POSTED ON 12/22 AT 8AM


my original point was that mr lowbander sells his 394's for too high a
price and makes it sound like he walks on water modding it. for a
little more than he charges ($260) one can get a satellit 800 or a
sometimes an R-75 or R-8, far superior radios.

No need to shout. You are entitled to your opinion but be careful when
you state it that you are not slandering lowbander or anyone else. His
ebay feedback is 100% positive on over 700 transactions, the majority
of which are sales of his modified DX-394's. While he may be guilty of
hyperbole (isn't that typical of our advertising oriented society?),
can you find a mistruth in his ads? His hundreds of customers are
satisfied so his price cannot be too high. I think he is to be
congratulated on creating an after-market in souping up DX-394's. Is
there such a market for any other receiver?

If your only point was that you can buy a superior radio by spending
more money, then I would not argue with you. But, for some, that extra
cash is not an option. And to get any of the radios you cited at such a
low price is a rarity while there is almost always at least one DX-394
FA on ebay.

This thread, however, (and not necessarily you, Cap'n) demeaned
lowbander, his modified DX-394's, and the basic DX-394.
I thought that was unfair and needed some balance. After all, I'm a
DX-394 enthusiast and hot-rodder.

I don't know what you are using, Cap'n, but if you can handle a
soldering iron, pick up one of those DX-394's at $110 and have some
fun. Your other rig, like my Drake R-4B, may end up gathering dust for
a while ;-) .

73 and seasons greetings!

Tom

TOM,
..
Another factor may be that for many casual Shortwave Listeners
they 'know' the RadioShack "DX" Receiver Band Name.
..
They may have heard of Drake, Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood JRC,
Ten Tec and others. But they 'know' the RadioShack "DX"
Receiver Band Name and trust it.

It may not be logical: But it is a 'feeling',
and for some "Feelings Are Facts" [.]

..
jm2cw ~ RHF
..
..